Helpful hints take confusion out of last-minute shopping

Don't be caught wandering the malls clueless.
By JERI YOUNG
Scripps Howard
Pssst.
Hey, guys.
We know you're out there. Sometime soon, we'll bump into you at the mall, looking lost and forlorn as you search for the just the right gifts for your girlfriend, wife or mom.
And we know where what your buy will end up: in that big stack at the return desk.
To make the holidays a little brighter for her -- and you -- we did a little advance scouting in stores and on the Internet for gift ideas.
So, here's some stuff to get you started:
UKeep her warm: Sweaters, capes and drapes are all the rage. A merino wool shawl from India is so finely woven that it's reversible. It comes in a dark-gold organza bag that's almost as elegant as the shawl. And you don't have to worry about size -- one size fits all. It's also the perfect gift for the socially conscious: The shawl is being sold by UNICEF and the proceeds help children in developing nations. Price: $100. To order, go to www.unicefusa.org and click on "Cards and Gifts" or call (800) 552-1200.
USay it with a bag: You can never have enough money -- or handbags. And in the handbag world, what's colorful, washable and hot, hot, hot? Vera Bradley. These bags are tough, stylish and cost-efficient, $25 and up. You can find them hanging in a wide range of stores -- from the mall to specialty shops. To find a store near you, go to www.verabradley.com. For a more expensive money-holder, check out Kate Spade, Coach or Dooney & amp; Burke. These lines are also available in many stores.
UPerfect scents:You know she likes perfume, but sniffing all those samples to find the one she wears will give you a headache. (To avoid this, just check the label on the open bottle in the bathroom.) If you're still confused, look for DKNY Be Delicious. Light and tangy with hints of citrus and green. A 3.4-ounce bottle costs about $65 and is available at many department stores. Another to try: L'Eau d'Issey by Issey Miyake Extract Parfum. This is more expensive, about $130 for a .5 ounce bottle, but she'll be impressed by your knowledge of high-end designers.
USmooth and soothe: There are hundreds of skin products out there, so what's a guy to do? Look for lotions, soap and bubble bath that are the same scent as her perfume. Or strike out on your own by giving her a set of products -- perhaps lotion, soap and a body spray or scrub -- from another line. Try something like the Relax products from erbaviva (www.erbaviva.com) and Origins' Cocoa Therapy line (www.origins.com). Check the Web sites to find a store near you or to order. Several stores, including such grocers as Whole Foods, can fix up a fancy-looking basket of bath and body essentials.
USpirited stuff: No one really needs cheap wine, but it sure is funny on a glass. These hand-painted goblets from Our Name is Mud get funnier by the sip. To find a store near you, go to www.ournameismud.com. About $18 a glass. And if all else fails, say it with chocolate -- liqueur, that is. Godiva has a mini-sampler of its most popular spirits -- White Chocolate, Chocolate Cream, Cappuccino and Original -- that comes in a swanky gold box. About $13.